The Opener: Gray, Ohtani, MLBTR Chat

As Spring Training continues, here are three things for MLBTR readers to keep an eye on throughout the day:

1. Gray awaits MRI results:

The Cardinals are dealing with an injury scare regarding their top free agent addition this winter after right-hander Sonny Gray exited yesterday’s game mid-at bat with right hamstring tightness. The 34-year-old veteran underwent an MRI yesterday evening, per Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, with more information on the severity of Gray’s injury likely to be made available sometime today. Gray’s dealt with hamstring issues in his right leg previously, including a three-week trip to the injured list with the Twins early in 2022 season.

St. Louis landed Gray on a three-year, $75MM deal to lead their starting rotation after the righty posted a 2.79 ERA in 32 starts with Minnesota last year, en route to a second-place finish in AL Cy Young award voting. The veteran was the club’s marquee free agent signing this winter and the most significant addition to a rotation that posted a bottom-five ERA in the majors last year. Without Gray at the front of the staff, the Cardinals would figure to enter the season with internal veterans Miles Mikolas and Steven Matz at the front of the rotation, with veteran bounce-back candidates Kyle Gibson and Lance Lynn bringing up the middle and the fifth starter spot likely to go to a younger arm such as Matthew Liberatore or Zack Thompson.

2. Ohtani to face the Angels:

The Spring Training edition of the Freeway Series is set to take place today, with Angels right-hander Chase Silseth set to take on Dodgers youngster Bobby Miller starting at 7:05pm CT. Dodgers manager Dave Roberts told reporters (including MLB.com’s Anthony Castrovince) recently that superstar Shohei Ohtani will be in the lineup today against his former team. Ohtani is also expected to be in the lineup for tomorrow’s game against the White Sox. That’ll mark his first back-to-back appearances with the Dodgers as the club gears up for the start of its regular season on March 20 against the Padres in Seoul, South Korea. Ohtani has wasted no time in making an impression with Dodgers fans this spring, having picked up five hits and two walks in nine trips to the plate so far this spring, including a home run and a triple.

3. MLBTR Chat today:

While teams around the league are already participating in Cactus and Grapefruit League games, a handful of the winter’s top free agents remain unsigned and plenty of offseason shopping lists around the league remain unfulfilled. Are you wondering if there’s more in store for your team with Opening Day just a few short weeks away? If so, tune in this afternoon when MLBTR’s Steve Adams hosts a live chat with readers at 1pm CT. You can click here to ask a question in advance, and that same link will allow you to join in on the chat once it begins or read the transcript after its completed.